Particle reinforced noble metal matrix composite and method of making same

A particle reinforced noble metal matrix composite, comprising:

• a noble metal and a particle material, wherein the particle reinforced noble metal matrix composite includes a noble metal content of at least 56% by weight, a resistivity of no greater than about 1.3E-04 ohm centimeters, and a density value of at least about 97% of a theoretical density value.

A particle reinforced noble metal matrix composite, comprising:

• a particle material;
• and
• a noble metal selected from the group consisting of platinum and alloys thereof wherein the particle reinforced noble metal matrix composite includes a noble metal content of at least about 56% by weight.

A method of making a particle reinforced noble metal matrix composite, comprising the steps of:

• heating a noble metal and a particle material by infrared heating to a temperature above the melting point of the noble metal thereby producing a molten noble metal;
• and
• contacting the particle material with the molten noble metal for a period of time sufficient to allow the molten noble metal to infiltrate the particle material to form a particle reinforced noble metal matrix composite.